XII. INTERNET POLICY
INTRODUCTION
The Milford Public Library is committed to providing its users with advances in information technology. Access to the Internet, a vast global electronic network, is one of the most significant tools of our time. In keeping with its mission and technology plan, the Milford Public Library offers Internet searching to support the educational and informational needs of the community.
DISCLAIMER
The Internet is a complex and constantly changing global network with a wealth of information. However, much of this information is unregulated in terms of its content and authenticity. The Library has no control over the validity, timeliness, or accuracy of the information available on the Internet. Each user must exercise his/her own critical judgment and determine how to utilize that information.
PARENTAL CONSENT REQUIRED FOR MINORS, AGE 16 AND UNDER
~The Milford Library cannot control the ideas, information, and images, which are available on the Internet even with the use of filtering software on the Children’s Department computers. Therefore, in order to meet our responsibility to parents, it is the policy of the Milford Public Library to require that minors, age 16 and under, must have a consent form signed by their parent or guardian in order to use any of the Library’s computers.
~CENSORING AND FILTERING SOFTWARE
The Milford Library does not censor or filter information on the computers located in the Adult Department. However, the Children’s Department computers do have filtering software. Parents must be aware that filtering software does not guarantee blocking objectionable materials. Parents should familiarize themselves with the functionality of filtering software to determine if it is correct for their children. Parents are reminded that it is their responsibility to supervise and monitor their children’s use of the Internet both in the Adult and Children’s Departments.
RESTRICTIONS
The Library does not provide assistance or support for e-mail. The Library assumes no responsibility for patrons’ email. Patrons may not use the Library’s e-mail address. Email sent to patrons after their session is over will not be saved.
Electronic discussions groups (chat rooms) are not permitted through the Milford Public Library.
The Library cannot guarantee an Internet connection. The library is not responsible for lost data.
The Library reserves the right to restrict or modify Internet use when circumstances indicate that it is in the best interest of the Library and/or its patrons to do so.
LEGAL AND ETHICAL USE
Use of the Internet computers implies a patron’s consent to comply with the General Rules of Behavior of the Milford Public Library Internet Policy. Violation of the Library’s policies may result in suspension of Internet and/or Library privileges. Library personnel may monitor patrons’ use of the Internet to assure that Library policies and procedures are being followed.
The Library’s Internet may not be used for illegal or unethical purposes including but not limited to 1) violation of copyright or intellectual property rights or 2) destruction of, damage to, or interference with any equipment, software, or data belonging to the Library.
WIRELESS ACCESS
THE LIBRARY’S WIRELESS CONNECTION IS UNENCRYPTED AND UNFILTERED. USE OF THE WIRELESS CONNECTION IS AT THE PATRON’S OWN RISK. SECURITY CANNOT BE GUARANTEED AND IS AN INHERENT RISK ASSOCIATED WITH WIRELESS SERVICE. THE LIBRARY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CLAIM OR LOSS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO USE OF THE WIRELESS CONNECTION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IDENTITY THEFT, HACKING, SOFTWARE DOWNLOADED, EMAIL SENT OR RECEIVED, SITES ACCESSED, VIRUSES, OR DAMAGE DONE TO THE USER’S EQUIPMENT OR PERSON. SUCH USES AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE USER.
THE LIBRARY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ABILITY OF THE USER’S EQUIPMENT TO CONNECT TO THE WIRELESS NETWORK, AND LIBRARY STAFF CANNOT PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE RELATED TO ANY USE THEREOF, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LAPTOP CONFIGURATIONS, SECURITY, SETTINGS, OR CHANGES TO DATA FILES. THE LIBRARY DOES NOT PROVIDE PRINTERS FOR WIRELESS CONNECTIONS.
WIRELESS ACCESS WILL BE AVAILABLE DURING TIMES AND UNDER CONDITIONS ESTABLISHED BY THE LIBRARY BOARD. INFORMATION ON TIMES AND CONDITIONS IS AVAILABLE FROM THE REFERENCE DEPARTMENT.
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PROCEDURES FOR INTERNET USE - ADULT/REFERENCE DEPARTMENT
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1. To use the Internet, a patron must have a library card, driver’s license or other valid form of identification, and adhere to all library regulations for use.
2. Each patron using the Internet may sign up at the Information Desk in the Reference Department and present his/her identification. Each patron may also reserve time by using the designated software program available in the library.
3. Reservations may be made up to one week in advance by contacting the Reference Department at 783-3292 or by use of the designated software. Each Internet sessions is 60 minutes in length. If another patron is waiting, patrons who arrive 10 minutes late will forfeit their Internet session. Patrons must report to the Reference at the time of their scheduled appointment and present their identification .
4. If no one is waiting to use the Internet, a patron may remain on the computer in 10 minute increments for up to one additional hour. However, each patron is limited to a maximum of two hours per day.
5. If you have difficulty with the Internet, or when technical problems arise, please ask the staff for help. Although the staff is limited by time constraints and does not have a detailed knowledge of the Internet, we will be happy to provide what help we can. Please note that additional time cannot be added to a person’s session die to technical problems when another patron is waiting.
6. Users must save data on their own portable storage devices. Files may not be saved on the computer’s hard drive. The Library will delete files that are saved to the hard drive.
7. Only software programs owned by the Library may be used. Due to considerations of security, virus protections, and hard drive space limitations, users may not install their own software applications.
8. The library charges a printing fee; the price per page is set by the Library Board.
9. In order to avoid potential damage to the printer, patrons are not permitted use their own paper in the printer. In addition, envelopes or other items should not be used in the printer.
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PROCEDURES FOR INTERNET USE – CHILDREN’S DEPARTMENT
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The Adult/Reference procedures apply to the Children’s Department except as noted below.
1. Each patron using the Internet must sign up at the Children’s Circulation Desk and present his/her identification.
2. Internet usage time is scheduled by reservation. Users may register up to one week in advance, in person, through use of the appropriate software or by phone (783-3312). Reservations may be made for 45 minutes per person, per day. Two people may sign up to use the computer together, but only those who have signed up should be operating on the computer. Users who are more than 10 minutes late will forfeit their computer time if another user is waiting. No one will be put on the computer if there is less than 15 minutes in the time slot.
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4. If no one is waiting to use the Internet, a patron may remain on the computer for a second session. However, each patron is limited to a maximum of two sessions per day.
APPROVED BY THE LIBRARY BOARD 3/3/99; REVISED 10/6/99, REVISED 4/4/07]
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